Wichita eagle., 1887-02-18

Df illlS liIiiC e}Ui iltSu $50 vic iNSiN
to start, and the storm was breaking upoi
US in its fury. The night was closing il
but the constant glare of electricity Lighted
up the coach and showed me, as | peere(
through the dingy glass front, four large
grey horses plungipg wildly through
| binding sheets of water that broke from
the dark, overhangiDg forests Of the Color
ado river bottom Madly rushing OF
toward that treacherous river, with a sleepy
man for driver, how long and weary
seemed the time.
No one ever went into deep water eX
pecting to be drowned, Ireasoned; on sucl
night as this he may be mistaken, "a
others have been, and another casualty be
added to the daily list of poor mortals who
lose their lives for want Of care.
The roaring of the swollen river could be
heard above the storm as we approached 1t.
Can We go in, Jack?" | called from the
window, as he halted to survey the scene.
Il think we can, was the reply.
Don't you know it, called again.
Il am agoin' TO try" be answered.
Open this door. | cried
A colofed man who sat beside the driver
opened the door. and | said, Ben, take
care of that lady and that child, in case OF
accident, and the money is in the bank in
San Angelo to pay you, and | will take
care Of myself"
never knew how ! got on that driver S
seat. II seemed rs easy as walking up
stairs. | only remember the black water
dashing It's white foam above our gallant
greys, which were leaping and pluDgiDg
in mad struggle for life while the high
old coach swayed TO the force Of the terri
bic current How long the time
seemed and how | thought OF the
loved ONES at home; and how black and
dismal looked the yawning waste to
which the surging stream was rushing
and when at last the foremost horses
struck the steep embankment, and with
force that sent their white names flying
in the air, dashed out of the angry whirl
pool and we were safe, tears-sweet tears
of joy-came to my relief I'm live to see
my boy again." l said.
But our troubles were not over 1t was
still raining when we reached the station
house just across the river. This was a
low, dismal, thrce-roomed house, without
a CLEAN of light or comfort about it,
When David came out with lantern to
make ready for his part Of the drive |
begged him to wait till the storm was
over and let us take shelter in the house
until morning. "You can if you want
to- he said, but the new United States
mail can't stop for nothing; you'll have to
stay till tomorrow night, and then it may
not be any better The weather is mighty
uncertain this time Of year"
But there is another storm coming"
added persuasively, You are not obliged
to risk your life and those of your passen
gers, in such fearful weather"
"Of course the storm is coming, we all
can see that, but must do my duty by the
United States mail. If stop over, some
may think | am afraid of robbers, which |
am not Hand out that double barreled
shot gun, please m, may need it before
get there. Say what you are a-going to do;
as must be off, he added, wrapping the
shot gun under his cloak to keep it dry
Not fearing the war of the elements SO
much as the wrath and greed of man.
thought perhaps we might be safer from
attack on such night, then when the
weather was fine, and so decided to 90 on.
Again we were out in might. and Storm,
and darking, "-plunging the mud,-wilb
nothing but the ligh;ning's glare to light
Us on our weary way. The wind arose,
and thunderS muttercd. To the southwark
whittier we were going. two threatning
clouds lowered their heads together like
angry bulls; and the quiveriDg flame that
glared between them, was as 4 sheet of
light, swaying to the moaning wind
The stage could make no Roadway, but
creeped and staggered, and it seemed every
minute that we would be blown over in
the mud One of my arms got wet trying
To keep the rain that burst through the
windows, from off the sleeriag child, BY
holding shawl over It's head This was
the climax Of discomfort. and made me
calm. Blessed law of nature that puts a
limit 10 human suffering began 10 think
of my mother. and other loved ones in the
spirit land, and wondered whether it would
be Il good thing to give up the
stru ggle Of life then and there, and be q
pesce. Bat the thought of some. who
would miss one W hen I'm gone AROUSED
me 10 present surroundings.
A roaring like an avslsnehe arose above
all other sounds. On looking eastward
saw. by the lightning's glare, fierce river
of muddy water running parallel with our
road For some time | watched it in sill
ence, hoping David would not try To cross
it, but without sufficient energy to call ,o
him. AT length the old stage gave sud
den lurch, and creaked, and strained. and
quivered; and thinking We were plunging
into the fearful stream. | put my head oui
| IF the window and called: Il will give
you fifty dollars if you will turn back to
the station house I've all ready turned
be answered, Il wouldn't a gone in that